Machine for and method of forming seedtape



E. E. GRAY.

MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF ronmme SEEDTAPE.

Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, I916. RENEWED APR. 27, I920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I Zia/67%;" Edam/Z: 67W

E. E. GRAY.

MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF FORMING SEEDTAPE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, 1 916- RENEWED APR. 27, I920- 1,364,050. Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

E. E. GRAY MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF FORMING SEEDTAPE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. me. RENEWED APR. 27. I920.

1,364,050, Patented Dec. 28,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Za'wzzml' ray 6M M f uNiTED STATES PATENT EDWARD E. GRAY, 0E PLANO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNoR,;EY AssrGNMEN'rs, Tb

AMERICAN SEEDTAPE COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW .IE s O PO AT ON OF NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR AND ME'rnonoE FORMING sEEiprArE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD E. GRAY, a citizen of the United States, andresident of Plano, in the county of Kendall and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Machines for and Methods of Forming Seedtape, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for and methods of forming seedtape.

For convenience in planting, to avoid the waste of seeds due to planting an excessive number of seeds, as is almost universally the case where seeds are dropped by hand, and to eliminate the work incident to thinning out or removing superfluous plants after the plants have attained some size, so that they will not crowd and impair the growth and development of each other, seeds of various kinds are, at the present time, incased in a continuous envelop of suitable light paper,

or the like, said paper being of such texture that it will readily disintegrate when subjected to moisture, as the moisture of the soil in which the seeds are planted, thus permitting the seeds to germinate and grow in the usual way. 7

A primary object of the invention is to provide improved and simplifiedmeans, in a machine of this general type, for depositing the seeds contained in a receptacle or hopper upon the tape material preliminary to folding said tape material to inclose said seeds.

A. further object of the invention is to dispense with the use of glue for securing the tape material in folded position so as toretain the seeds within the envelop formed thereby.

Still further objects of the invention are to provide improved and simplified means for driving the machine, whereby it may be quickly and conveniently started and stopped, as when it is desired to remove a roll of tape from the machine and to start a new roll; and to provide an improved reeling device for forming the tape into rolls when 1 finished.

To effect these various objects, a machlne 'embodying my invention and suitable for.

practising my improved method comprises the various features, combinations of features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed. 4

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec. V28, Application filled May 27, 1916, Serial No. 100,228. "Renewed April '27, 1920. Serial Nd.377,015.f

In the accompanying drawings, in which parts of my improved machine, whereby the tape material is subjected to suction during 7 a period of its travel, f Fig. 4' is a sectional line 44- of Fig; 3, I ,7

Fig. 5 is a tragmentary, sectional, side view of a machine for forming seed tape embodying my inventionin modified form,

6 is atop plan View of the casin forming the suction chamber of the machine shown in Fig. '5, and f Fig. 7 is a sectionon the line '7-7 of g 5. c I,

Referring now to the drawings, A designates, as a whole, the frame of my improved machine, comprising a supporting base A view thereof on the and anupright member A made in the is *mounted upon and supported by bracket 5 which projects laterally from the upright frame member A A per 2 to the lateral extension 3 thereofis controlled, bymeans of a sliding gate 6,

' whereby the depth ofthe layer of seeds at the discharge end of" the lateral extension of said hopper maybe controlled as desired.

The passage-of the seeds from the hop- The tape material, "preferably thin, light 7 paper, or the'like,-indicatedatc, is drawn,

in the form of a continuous web, from a suitablesource of supply, as fromfa roll A adapted to be rotatably mounted on an ar bor 7 secured in an arm or bracket 8 which extends frontward and downward at the front end of the upright frame member A In its passage through the machine, said tape material is guided across and into close proximity to the open or discharge side of the lateral extension 3 of the hopper, the relation being such that the seeds contained in said lateral extension of the hopper will rest in contact with said strip of tape material.

As the tape material (1 passes across the discharge opening of the hopper, seeds are caused to adhere to the surface of said tape material at predetermined, spaced intervals in the following manner :-Before said tape material a passes across the discharge opening of said hopper, small holes or perforations 9 are formed therein at intervals corresponding to the desired spacing of the seeds on said tape material. Said preforationsin said tape material may be formed before it is wound into the roll A but I preferably provide perforating means as a part of my improved machine, located between the roll A and the discharge end of the hopper. As shown, said perforating means consists of perforating wheels 10 and 11 rotatably mounted in studs 12 and 13 secured in the upright frame member A between which the tape material passes, one of said perforating wheels, as shown the wheel 10, being provided with what may be called projecting pins 14 which are adapted to enter holes 15 formed in the perforating wheel 11 and which will cooperate to form holes in the strip of tape material as it passes between said perforating wheels.

As said strip of tape material passes across the discharge opening from said hopper, it is subjected on its outerside to a suction which, acting through the holes or perforations 9 therein, will cause a seed or seeds to adhere to said tape at each of said openings or perforations, the suction being also continued for a considerable time after said tape material with the seeds adhering thereto, passes the discharge end of said hopper and during the time that the tape material is being folded as will presently be described.

WV'hile my invention contemplates any desired or approved means for thus subjecting said strip of tape material to suction, what I now consider to be the preferable means for this purpose are shown in Figs. 14 of the drawings, which are as follows :Mounted in fixed position on the frame of the machine, as on brackets 16 which project laterally from the upright frame member A is a casing 17, which is closed excepting for an opening 18 formed in the top and in the side thereof adjacent to the discharge opening of the hopper. Rotatably mounted within said casing are flat-faced wheels 19 and 20 adjusted to which are belts 21 and 22, the aggregate widths of said belts bein less than the width of said wheels and whlch, in operation, are spaced apart, forming a central opening 23 between said belts. At their outer edges, the wheels 19 and 20 and the belts 21 and 22 run under inwardly projecting shoulders 2a formed at the edges of the opening 18 in said casing 17, the size of the wheels 19 and 20 and the thickness of the belts 21 and 22 being such that the outer surface of said belts will run into close proximity to said shoulders 2% throughout the length of said opening 18.

In its passage through the machine, the tape material a runs in the opening 18 in the casing 17 and rests in contact with the belts 21 and 22 throughout the length of said slotted opening 18, the relation being such that throughout the length of said slotted opening, the holes or perforations 9 in said tape material will communicate directly with the slot or opening 23 between the belts 21 and 22.

Suction is adapted to be maintained within the casing 17 by means of a suitable fan or blower, indicated at 25, the suction opening of which is connected with the chamber formed by the casing 17, by a suction pipe 26. Said fan or blower 25 is driven continuously from any suitable source of power as by a motor 27, which, as shown, is connected directly to said fan or blower.

As shown, the wheels 19 and 20 are secured to rotate with shafts 28 and 29, which. together with the perforating wheels 10 and 11 are driven by means of suitable driving connection with the motor shaft 30. As shown, said driving connections comprise a main driving shaft 31 which is driven directly from the motorshaft 30, a pinion 32 secured to which meshes with gear wheels 33 and 34 secured to rotate with the shafts 2S and 29, respectively, said pinions and gear wheels being preferably located inside of the casing 17, which comprises a removable side to provide foraccess to the chamber formed by said casing for assembling the parts contained therein and for other desired purposes. The perforating wheels 10 and 11 and corresponding wheels at the opposite side of the casing 17, presently to be described,are driven from said shaft 31 by means of a chain belt 35 adjusted to sprocket wheels secured to rotate with the driving shaft 31 and with. one of each set of perforating wheels, the members of each set of perforating wheels being connected so as to rotate together with the same peripheral speed by intermeshing gears secured to rotate with the wheels of each set of said perforating wheels.

Also, to provide for operating the machine at different rates of speed to adapt it for use with different kinds of seeds, the

driving shaft 31 is driven by means of a fr1c t1on pulley 36 on the motor shaft. 30, whlch is deslgned to contact with the face of a friction disk 37 mounted to rotate with the driving shaft 31, said friction pulley be decreased as it may be desired to meet the 7 requirements of any particular case.

Also, to provide \for stopping the machine when desired without stopping the fan or blower 25 or in any way interfering with its operation, the friction disk 37 is mounted on the driving shaft 31 so as to be movable endwise thereon toward and from the friction pulley 36, said friction disk being maintained yielding in contact with the friction pulley 36 by means of a coiled spring 38 inserted between the hub of said friction disk and a collar 39 secured to the driving shaft 31. retracted against the force of the spring 38 to disengage it from the friction pulley 36 by any suitable means, preferable means for the purpose consisting of a bell-crank lever.

40, which may be pivoted to the base A of the machine frame or other suitable support, formed on the end of the upright arm 41 of which is a yoke 42 which embraces the sides of ahub on the friction disk 37 pins 43 secured in which engage a circumferenfoldin devices whereb the edges thereof are turned upwardly and inwardly so as to overlap and inclosethe seeds held on said.

tape material. As shown, said folding devices consist of a series of spaced plates 46, secured to the casing 17 and arranged in pairs at opposite sides of thecentral opening 23 between the belts 21 and 22, whereby the longitudinal section of said tape material a in which the perforations 9 are formed and to which the seedsl adhere, will always extend over and cover the space 23 between said belts, thus at all times main- 7 taining the suction on said tape material and holding the same from lateral displacement under the action of said folding guides. es shown, there are four sets or pairs 'of said 5 ing device. r

The friction disk 37 is adapted to be' foldi g plates or guides 46,:the adjacent ends 'or edgesof the first or front,set .ofsaid plates or guides being curved to impart a. substant ally trough-shape to said tape ma terial, and succeeding'sets or pairs, of said i plates being arrangedsuccessivelycloser together and being provided in their adjacent other.

edgeswith notches of successively shorter. I radius, whereby the edges of said strip of V tape material will be turned'in upon the cenj i tral portion thereof and will'overlap each After'fpassingl through the folding plates or guides, said tape material will form what may be described as a flat tube in consider the form of folding device shownto be preferable, I do not desire tolimit myself which the seedswill be inclosed. While If thereto,'.as my invention contemplates the:

use of .any desired or approved form of fold -f i From the foldingdevices, by which a fiat tubular shape has beenimparted .to said tape material, as aforesaid, said tape ma-j terial passes beneath a pressure roll "47,

inouhted on a stud securedin the upright frame .InemberA and which runs in close proximity to the belts 21 and 22Qdirectly above the rear belt wheel 20, which will operate to flatten and set th'e'folds ofsaid tape material. ,':To prevent crushingof'the seeds inclosed within the folds of said tape material,said pressure r011 47is provided with.

a. circumferential groove 48' of sufficient width and depth to permit the passage therethrough, without crushing, of the seeds contained within said'folded tapematerial. Y f

Tojefi'ect the object of theinvention as it relates to dispensing with glue forsecuring the folds of the tape material together, I provide means for punching holes throughv the folded tape material, intermediate the seedscontained therein, using for theipurpose a blunt punch or punches'which, will notcut the paper butwill form whatmay be I described as burred holes ,inthe folds of said tape materialand will operate toforce the burred edges of the holes inthe overlying folds through the holes formed inthe lower folds, which will operate,in an or vious manner, to secure and hold the folds of, said tape material together in folded position with asufliciently strong connec-. tion to permit said seed tape to be handled in the usualway without breaking the con nection between. said folds, particularly when the burrededges of said holes have been flattened and crushed together, asthcy will" be in the proce'ssof winding thev finished seed tape into rolls preparatory to f packing the same lntoboxes or cartons'for sale and use, ,as presently described. 'As;

shown, the means for thus punching holes through the ifolded tape. material are" sub stantially similar to the perforating wheels and ll comprising wheels 49 and 50 between which the folded seed tape passes. One of said wheels, as shown the wheel 49, is provided with projecting pins or punches 51, the ends of which are blunt or rounded, and the wheel 50, is provided with holes 52 adapted to loosely receive the pins or punches 51. Said punch wheels are driven from the driving shaft 31 by means of the chain belt 35 which is adjusted to a sprocket wheel secured to rotate with the punch wheel 49, and by the gears 83 and 34 secured to r0- tate with said punch wheels, respectively, all substantially in the same manner as the perforating wheels 10 and 11 are driven, the relation being such that said punch wheels shall rotate at the same peripheral speed as each other andalso as the other driven parts operating on saidtape material. Also, in order that the punches or pins 51 shall not injure the seeds contained in the seed tape, the punch wheels are so adjusted axially that the pins or punches 51 will penetrate the folds of the tape material between the seeds inclosed therein.

From the punch wheels 49 and 50, the finished seed tape passes to the winding device or reel by means of which it is wound into rolls or coils, which, as fast as they are formed, are removed from said winding device or reel and packed in boxes or cartons for sale and use. As shown, the construction of said windingdevice or reel is as follows :Rotatably mounted in suitable bearings formed in bearing bosses on the upright frame member A are shafts 53 and 54:, of which the shaft 53 is driven by means of a chain belt 55 adjusted to sprocket wheels 56 and 57, one of which is driven by means of a suitable friction device and the relation being such that said winding device will be driven at such a rate of speed that, normally, it will tend to wind the tape faster than said tape travels through the machine, thus permitting said winding device-to automatically adjust or accommodate itself to the feed of the machine as the size'of the roll being formed varies, the take up of said roll becoming greater as its size increases. Obviously, also, said friction device will maintain the said tape under desired tension while it is being wound into rolls. The shaft 54 is driven from the shaft 53 by means of gears 58 and 59 secured to said shafts, respectively, so as to rotate therewith.

As shown, the friction device for driving the shaft 53 comprises a glass disk 60 secured to one side of the gear wheel 58 secured to said shaft, a thin felt cushion 61 being preferably interposed. between said glass disk 60 and gear wheel 58, and secured to the side of the sprocket wheel 57 adjacent to said glass disk is a felt pad 62, which is adapted to be held in frictional engagement with said glass disk by means of a spring 63 inserted between a collar 64 secured to the shaft 53 and the side of said sprocket wheel 57 opposite to that to which said felt pad 62 is secured.

Splined to the shaft 53 is sleeve 65 formed at the inner end of which is a head 66 secured in which are pins 67, which extend parallel with the axis of the shaft 58, and are spaced a short distance from the surface of the sleeve 65,.and on which the finished tape is wound directly. Slidably fitted to the sleeve 65 is a collar 68, which is held yieldingly in contact with the head 66 on said sleeve by means of springs 69, the ends of which are connected to rigid parts of said head and collar. Said springs are made of such length relative to their points of attachinent to said head and collar that they will always be under tension. As shown, the springs 69 are positioned in holes formed through said collar 68 parallel with its axis. The pins 67 are slidably fitted to holes formed through said collar 68 and are of such length that, when said collar 68 is in contact with the head 66 on said sleeve, said pins will project, at the front side of said collar, a sufficient distance to permit a roll of tape of desired size to be wound thereon.

The finished tape is wounddirectlyupon the pins 67 and while it is being wound into rolls or coils, is supported by a disk secured to the front end of the collar 68. The pins 67 will operate, in an obvious manner, to impart rotation to the collar 68 with the shaft 58. a

The sleeve 65 is somewhat longer than the pins 67 and its front end, which projects beyond the ends of said pins, is tapered or leveled, as shown at 71.

The function of the pins 67 is, primarily, to provide convenient means for engaging the end of the seed tape with the sleeve 65 when the roll is started, thisbeing effected by inserting the end of said seed tape between one of said pins and'said sleeve and then turning said end back to loop it around sald p1n.

The function of the collar 68 and disk 70 is to facilitate the removal of the finished rolls of said tape from the sleeve 65, or more properly, from the pins 67, this being effected by drawing the collar 68, carrying the disk 70, frontward to force the finished roll off from said pins. Said collar is then released, whereupon the springs 69 will return it to its operative position in contact with the head 66.

The machine is stopped after the formation of each roll and remains idle during the time said rolls are being removed and the end of the tape engaged with a pin 67 for the start of a new roll.

To provide for winding the seed tape in coiled layers back and forth on said pins 67,

means are provided for imparting a traverse 7 y c "I,

to the sleeve 65. is shown, the means for,

thus imparting a traverse tosaid sleeve are as follows :Formed on or secu ed to rotate with the shaft 54 is a screw 72 comprising right and left hand .threads, the ends of which are connected or run into each other.

Supported adjacent to said screws 72 so as to be freely movable transversely of the machine, is a carriage pivotally mounted on which is a shoe adapted to engage the screw threads of the screw 7 2. As shown, said carmovement of said plate 73 under theinfluence of said screw 72. The traverse plate 73 is connected to the sleeve by means "of a' plate 76 which extends upwardlytherefrom and formed at the upper end of which isa ring 77 which is confined ina groove 78 formed in the head 66 at the'inner end of said sleeve To provide for engaging the ring 77 with the groove 7 8, one side ofsaid groove is formed by a collar 79 removably secured, as by a set screw, to the sleeve 65.

Pivoted to the traverse plate 731is a $1106 80 which engages the screw threads of the screw 72, said shoe being elongated and so shaped that it will follow the screw threads of said screw andwill pass freely from one section to the other-thereof.

To provide for detaching surplus seeds which may be caused to adhere to the tape.

material by the suction in the casing 17 and returning such detached seeds into the lateral extension 3 of the hopper 2, I provide a nozzle or nozzles adapted for discharging a jet or ets of air along the exposed surface (it the tape material, to which the seeds adhere, as it passes above the discharge opening from said hopper, said air jets being directed into the open discharge end of said hopper, whereby the seeds detached will be returned to said hopper. are two nozzles 81 and 82 at the ends of a bifurcated tube 83 which is rigidly supported in abraclret 84 on the casing 17 'of the suction chamber, preferably in such manner that it may be adjusted bodilyendse and secured in any desired adjustedposltion, as by a set screw, whereby the operative force of the air jets from the nozzles 81 and 82 on the'seeds may be regulated. The pipe or tube 83 is connected with the discharge side of the fan or blower 25 by means of a flexible hose 85. In practice. only a As shown, there I portion. of the air discharged from the blower 2,5 will be discharged through the pipe 83, "as otherwiseair jets of excessiv strengthwouldbe produced; 1

1 The peiiorating wheels 510, and 11, the j, pressure-roll 47, the 'punch wheels, 49 and 50, andthe Winding or reelingmechanism will codperate to feed the tape =material through the m'achine. ever, contemplates the use of a separate feed mechanism, ifdesired. I

.As a modification of my improved machine, I contemplate dispensing with the wheels-19 and 20' and thebe'lts21'and-22' v adjusted thereto, and forming thesuction My invention, 'howslot in thecasing 'of the suction chamber directly in the front and top sidesj'o'f said casing. 1 j U I This modification is shown in Figs. 51:0 7, inclusive, of the drawings, In which A designatesthe frame'of the machine, aif the Y tape material, 3 {the lateral: extension at the'lower' end of the hopper, 17 "the casing being mounted onbracket 16: on the" frame vforming the suction chamber, said casing A, in substantially the same manneras the casing 17 is mounted on the/brackets 16 in the form of the device shown in Figs. 1 to, e

In said modified form of my improved machine, the f tape material, having been perforated, is guided across'andjin close proximity to the discharge opening fromj the hopper and over'the front end and top of said casing 17, saidcasing being provided with a suction slot 18' through which the perforations in said tape material will be sub ected to suction from Wlthlflf the easing 17'. I

mSaid modified form of machine will also comprise 'nieans mounted on said casing 17' for folding the tape material while sub-f'f jected to the suctionof the suction chamber,

formed by-the casing 17 pressure means for flattening and setting theffoldsvof; the I tape material punching means and wind- 111g means, all of which may be of any usual :or desired construction.

As regards the folding, punching and winding/means I contemplate means similar vto the correspondin'g'parts of the preferred form of machine heretofore described." As regards the pressure means for flattening and 'set-s ting the folds of .thetapeinaterial without crushing or injuring the seeds, I prefer to substitute for the grooved. pressure "roll which the folded tape material, 'with' the seeds inclosed therein, passes.

with suitable metal bearing bushingswhich will yield 'asfthe seeds passbetween them,

thus subjecting the tape material to desired i 7 pressure without crushingor otherwiseinjuring the seeds.

.47, two opposed rolls 47; and 47 between" :Seed tape, such as my improved machine is designed for making, forms the subjectmatter of a separate application for U. S. Letters Patent filed by me in the Patent Office concurrently herewith, Serial No.

100,227, filed May 27, 1916, to which reference is made for a description thereof.

In carrying out the novel method with the aid of the apparatus above described, the strip of package forming material or tape A is withdrawn continuously from the supply A said tape being either previously perforated or perforated by suitable perforating means, one form of which has been described. The perforated strip is then drawn past the supply of seeds while suction operates through the perforations to select seeds from the supply and the seeds thus selected and retained at the perforations are secured in permanent position on the V strip'either while the suction still operates or immediately thereafter. Obviously, the carrying out of the novel method is not dependent upon the specific form of machine .seeds upon perforated tape material, and

means for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds deposited thereon will '-be caused to adhere to the perforations in 40 said tape material.

2. In a machine for forming seed tape, the

combination of means for depositing seeds .upon perforated tape material, means for folding said tape material, and means for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds deposited thereon will be caused to adhere to the perforations in said tape material, said suction being continued during the folding of said tape material. 50,

the combination of means for depositing 3.111 machine for forming seed tape,

seeds upon perforated tape material, means for folding said tape material, means for sub ecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds deposited thereon Wlll be caused to adhere to the perforations in said tape material, said suction being continued durlng the folding of said tape material, and

means for securing said'tape material in folded position.

4. In a machine for forming seed tape,

the combination of means for depositing seeds upon perforated tape material, means for folding said tape material, means" for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds deposited thereon will be caused to adhere to the perforations in said tape material, said suction being continued during the folding of said tape material, and means for securing said tape material in folded position, said means comprising a punch adapted for punching holes through the folds of. said tape material and to force the edges of the holes in overlying folds through the holes in underlying folds, substantially as described.

5. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of a seed receptacle, means for guiding perforated tape material into contact with seeds contained in said seed receptacle, and means for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds which come into contact therewith will be caused to adhere to the perforations in said tape material.

6. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of a seed receptacle, means for guiding perforated tape material into contact with seeds contained in said seed receptacle, means for folding said tape material, and means for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds which come into contact therewith will be caused to adhere to the perforations in said tape material, said suction being continued during the folding of said tape material.

7. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of a seed receptacle, means for guiding perforated tape material into contact with seeds contained in said seed receptacle, means for folding said tape material, means for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds which come into contact therewith will be caused to adhere to the perforations in said tape material, said suction being continued during the folding of said tape material, and means for securing said tape material in folded position...

8. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of a seed receptacle, means for guiding perforated tape material into con tact with seeds contained in said seed receptacle, means for folding said tape material, means for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds will be caused to adhere to the perforations in said tape material, said suction being continued during the folding of said tape material, and means for securing said tape material in folded position, said means comprising a punch adapted for punching holes through the folds of said tape material and to force the edges of the holes in overlying folds through the holes in underlying folds.

9. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of a seed receptacle, means for guiding perforated tape material into contact with seeds contained in said seed receptacle, means for folding said tape material, means for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds will be caused to adhere to the perforations in said tape material, said suction being continued during the folding of said tape 'material, and means for securing said tape material in folded position, said means comprising a punch adapted for punching burred holes through the folds of said tape material;

10. In a machine for forming seed tape,

the combination of a'seed receptacle, means for perforating tape material, means for guiding said perforated tape material into contact with. seeds contained in said seed receptacle, and means for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds which come into contact therewith will be caused to adhere to the perforationstherein. 11. In a machine for forming seed tape,

the combination of a seed receptacle,rmeans for perforating tape mater1al, means for guiding said perforated tape material into contact with seeds contalned in said seed receptacle, means for folding said tape material to inclose the seeds adhering thereto,.

and means for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds which come into contact therewith will be caused to adhere to the perforations in said tape material,

said suction being continued during the fold-- contact therewith willbe caused to adhere to the perforations in said tape material,

said suction being continued during the folding operatlon, and means for securing said tape material in folded position.

13. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of a seed receptacle, means 'for perforating tape material, means for guiding said perforated tape material 111110 contact with seeds contained in said seed receptacle, means for folding said tape material to inclose the seeds adhering thereto,

means for subjecting said tape material to suction whereby seeds WhlCh comeinto contact therewith will be caused. to adhere to "the perforations in said tape material, said .suction being continued during the folding operation, and punching means for securing said tape material in a folded position.

14. In a machine for forming seed tape, thecombination of a seed re'ceptacle provided with a discharge opening, a hollow casing, a side of which extends into close proximity to the discharge opening of said seed receptacle, means for guiding perforated tape material across the discharge casing,

:opening of saidseed receptacle and over said casing, said casing being providedwith Y a slotada'pt'ed-to be; closed by the tape mate rial'pa'ssing over said casing with the per' forations in'said tape. material in communi cation with said slot, and suction means ,ap-n

plied't'o thechamherformed by said casing, whereby said tape material. will be subje'cted to suction adapted to cause seeds= coming ;in contact therewith to adhere to the perforations in said tape 'material throughoutxthe length of the slotin said 15.'In a machine for formingfseed tape,

are combination ofa seed receptacleprovidedf with a discharge opening,.a, hollow casing a side of which extends into close proximity to the discharge opening of said seed receptacle, means for guiding perforated tape material acrossthe discharge opening of said seed receptacle'and over said casing, said casingbeingprovided witha slot passing o'versaid casing withthe perforatrons I in said tape material being in com- ,adaptedito'be j closed by theltape material I munication withsaid slot, suction means applied to the chamber formed by said casing whereby said tape material will be subjected to suction adapted to cause the seeds coming in contact therewith to adhere to the perforationsin said tape "material throughout the length of'theslot in said casing, andme ans for "folding said tape material to inclose the seeds adhering thereto' while'said tape material issubjected to suetion.

i 16 j the combination of a seedreceptacle proyided withja [discharge opening, a hollowcasinga side of WhlCh; extends into close In a machine for forming seed tape,

proximity to the discharge o'pening'of said seed receptacle, wheels rotatably mounted within said casing, a slotted belt adjusted to said wheels, said casing being provided with an opening through which a section V of said belt will be exposed and said belt operating to closesaid opening but for the .slot therein, means for guiding perforated tapev material ,a'cross theQdischargeopening of said seed receptacle and'incontact with the section of saidbelt exposedthrough the "opening insaid casing with the perforations therein in communication with the slot in said belt, and suctionmeans applied to the chamber formed by said casing whereby said tape material will be subjected'to suc tionadapted to; cause seeds coming in contact therewith toadhere to the perforations Y in said-tape material substantially throughout the exposed length of said belt.

17. Ina" machine for forming seed tape,

proximity to the discharge opening of said ,the combination'of a seed receptacle provided with afdischarge opening, a'hollow leasing a side of which extends into close seed receptacle, wheels rotatably mounted within said casing, a slotted belt ad usted to said wheels, said casing, being provided with an opening through which a section of said seed receptacle and in contact with the section of said belt exposed through the opening in said casing with the perforations therein in communication with the slot in said belt, suction means applied to the chamber formed by said casing whereby said tape material will be subjected to suction adapted to cause seeds coming in contact therewith to adhere to the perforations in said tape material substantially throughout the exposed length of said belt, and means for holding said tape material to inclosethe seeds adhering thereto while said tape material is subjected to suction.

18. In a machine for forming-seed tape, the combination of a seed receptacle provided with a discharge opening, a hollow casing a side of which extends into close proximity to the discharge opening of said seed receptacle, wheels rotatably mounted within said casing, a slotted belt adjusted to said wheels, said casing being provided with an opening through which a section of said belt will be exposed and said belt operating to close said opening but for the slot therein, means for guiding perforated tape material across the discharge opening of said seed receptacle and in contact with the section of said belt exposed through the opening in saidcasing with the perforations therein in communication with the slot in said belt, suction means applied to the chamber formed by said casing whereby said tape material will be subjected to suction adapted to cause seeds coming in contact therewith to adhere to the perforations in said tape m'ateria-l substantially throughout the exposed length of said belt. means for folding said tape material to inclose the seeds adhering thereto while said tape material is subjected to suction. and means for securmaterial around the seed, and a spool for :IBCGlVlIlg the tape, said spool adapted to be rotated and to be moved transversely.

21. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of a seed receptacle, means for guiding a tape material into contact with the seed, means for holding seed on said tape material, means for folding said material around the seed, a spool rotatable and endwise movable for receiving the tape, a head on said spool, a collar biased to contact with said head, and pins mounted in said head and adapted to slide in said collar and to extend over and apart from said spool to have a portion of the tape inserted therebetween.

22. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of a seed receptacle, means for guiding a tape material into contact with the seed, means for holding seed on said tape material, means for folding said material around the seed, means for receiving the tape, a source of power for driving saidmaehine, and members biased to contact and to inove relatively for transmitting a part of said power and for varying the speed of various parts of said machine.

23. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of a seed receptacle, means for guiding a tape material into contact with the seed, means for holding seed on said tape material, means for folding said material around the seed, means for receiving the tape, a power shaft, a friction wheel thereon, a friction disk on a shaft for driving part of said machine, a spring for holding said wheel and said disk yieldingly in contact, and means to retract said friction disk against said spring.

24:. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of means for depositing seeds upon perforated tape material. and means for causing said seeds to adhere to the perforations in said tape material.

25. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of means for depositing seeds upon perforated tape material, means for folding said tape material, and means for causing said seeds deposited thereon to adhere to the perforations in said tape material, said second means being effective during the folding of said tape material.

26. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of means'for depositing seeds upon perforated tape material, means for folding said tape material, means for causing said seeds deposited thereon to adhere to the perforations in said tape material, said second means being effective during the folding of said tape material, and means for securing said tape material in folded position.

27. In a machine for forming seed tape, the combination of means for depositing seeds upon tape material, means for folding said tape material, and means for securing said tape material in folded position, said means comprising a punch adapted. for

punching holes through the folds of said tape material, and to force the edges ofthe holes in interlocking relation.

28. In amachine for forming seedtape, the combination of means-for depositing seeds upon. tape material, means for folding said tape material, means for causing seeds -L V deposited thereon to adheretosaid tape ma-.

terial, and means for securing said tape ma- 1 terial in folded position, said means com-.

prising a punch'adapted for punching holes through the folds of said tape material, and

in interlock-o comprising means for perforating tape, and f pneumatic means for positioning seedson said tape at theperforations, in combination with tape-folding means arranged to receive and to operate upon the tape and associated seeds at a point of substantially horizontal tape travel.

31. The method of making seed tape which comprises bringing a perforated carrier tape.

or strip into operative proximity on one side to seeds, applying suction to the other side of the tape to position seeds on the tape at the perforations, and then permanently securing the seeds in position on the tape' 32. The method of making seed tape which comprises moving a perforated carrier tape longitudinally in operative prox- I imity on one side to a supply of seeds, ap-

plying suction to the other side of the moving tape, whereby seeds are afiixed to the tape at the perforations, and then shaping thetape to secure the seeds permanently in position.

33. The method of making seed tape which comprises moving a carrier tape or strip longitudinally, pneumatically selecting seeds from a source of supply and placing them in predetermined arrangement upon the moving tape, pneumaticallymaintaining the seeds in position on the tape until the tape reaches a predetermined point inits travel, and then permanently securingth seeds on the tape.

34. The method of making seed tape which-comprises bringing a carrier tapeor strip into operative proximity on one side to seeds, applying suction to the other side of the tape to position seeds on the tape, and then permanently securing the seedsin position on the tape.

35. The method of making seed tap which comprises moving a carrier tape longi- .tudinally in operative proximity on one side to aisupplyofseeds, applying suction to the other side of the'moving tape, whereby seeds are atfixed'to the tape, and then shaping the tape' to secure the seeds permanently in i position. v t I y The I method of making seed tape which comprises moving a carrier tape or strip longitudinally,selecting seeds from a source of supply and placing them in predetermined arrangementnpon the moving I tape, maintaining. the seeds in position on the tape-until the tape reaches 'a predeterminedpoint in its travel,an dtheniperm'ar nentlyflsecuring the seeds on the tape.

'37;. Themethod ofmaking seed tape which I comprises yperforatin g a carrier tape or 7 1 strip, bringing the strip intooperative prox imityon one sideto seeds, applyingsuction to the other side of the tape to position seeds ,Onthe tape at the perforations,' and then permanently securing the seeds in position on the taper 38. The method of making seed tape whichcomprises perforating a paper tape or strip, moving the perforated-strip into contact on one side witha supply of seedswhile applying s'uctionto the other side, wherebyseeds become 'afiiXed to the :tape at the perfora- I tions, and folding the tape with its associated 's'eedsto secure the seeds permanently in position, the aforesaid operations being conducted simultaneously on different por "5 tions of the tape and in a continuous manner. g

' 39. The method of makingseed tape which comprises moving a perforated strip into contact on'one side with a supply of'seeds while applying suction to the other side, whereby seeds become aiiix'ed to the tape and; *folding the tapewith its associated seeds to secure the seeds permanently'in position, the aforesaid operations being conducted simultanously ondifierent portions of the and in a continuous manner. o 40. .Themethod of making seed tape which tape] comprises perforating a paper tape or a strip, moving the perforated strip into contact on one side with a supply of seeds while applying suction to the, other"side,whereby foratio'ns', and folding the tape with its assoseeds become afiixed tothe tape at the per.-

ciated seedsin a fixed folder to securethe f 7 seeds permanently in position, the aforesaid operations being conducted simultaneously ondiiferent portions ofthe tape and in acontinuous manner. e a

41. The method of making seed tapewhich comprises bringing a perforated. carrier tape or strip into operativeproximity on one I side to seeds, applying" suction tothe 1. other side of the tape. to position seeds on thetape at the perforations, and then permanentlylsecuring theseedsin position on the tape withoutthe use of adhesive.

; 42. The method of making seed tape which,

comprises moving a perforated carrier tape longitudinally in operative proximity on one side to a'supply of seeds, applying suction to the other side of the moving tape, whereby seeds areafiixed to the tape at the perforations, and then shaping the tape to secure the seeds permanently in position without the use of adhesive. t

43. The method of making seed tape which comprises bringing a carrier tape or strip into operative proximity to seeds, positioning the seeds temporarily on the tape and then permanently securing the seeds in position on the tape. e

44. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, means for feeding suitably perforated tape longitudinally, means for applying suction to one side of the tape, means for presenting seeds to the opposite side of the tape while it is under suction, and means for thereafter treating the tape to secure the seeds positioned on the tape by the suction. p

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I afiix my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses this 17 day of May, A. D. 1916.

EDWARD E. GRAY.

VVitnesses-z 'J. A. PARKS, E. G. PINKERTON. 

